Imphal, Oct. 20 -- Normal life was affected in five valley districts of Manipur on Tuesday as markets, educational institutions and business establishments remained closed during a 48-hour statewide bandh called by the Native People Committee Manipur (NPCM) to protest against the killing of three Meitei men by suspected militants.

Public transport remained off the roads, while a few private vehicles were seen plying. Most markets, educational institutions and commercial establishments were shut in Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Kakching districts.

Members of the NPCM blocked roads and staged demonstrations at several locations in Imphal East and Imphal West districts, demanding action over the killing of three firewood collectors at Sunurok hills in Kangpokpi district on Monday. The organisation has called for the strike on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Monday night, protesters burnt tyres on roads at Kwakeithel and Chingmeirong in Imphal West and Khurai Lamlong in Imphal East.

Security was tightened in and around the state capital as a precautionary measure, a police officer said. No untoward incident had been reported on Tuesday morning, though demonstrations were held in some areas.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Tuesday met leaders of the INDIA bloc, including state Congress chief Okram Ibobi Singh and Congress Legislature Party leader K Meghachandra Singh, to review the law and order situation following the killings.

The meeting was held at the Chief Minister's Secretariat and attended by Lok Sabha MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam and representatives of other opposition parties.

In a social media post, the chief minister said the meeting reviewed the state's security situation following the killing of three civilians by armed miscreants.

He said political representatives had expressed deep concern over the incident and urged him to convene an all-party meeting in view of the prevailing situation. Singh assured them that the matter would be looked into.

"We also had a constructive discussion on maintaining peace and collective efforts for the restoration of normalcy in the state," he said.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.